Kershaw-Ryan State Park - Nevada State Park

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Kershaw-Ryan State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview

Trails

History of the Area
Kershaw Canyon was named for Samuel and Hannah Kershaw who homesteaded the canyon in the 1870s. A post office and settlement were located - Kershaw from 1892 to 1904. At that time, the property was sold to James Ryan of Caliente.

In 1926, the Ryans donated the "Kershaw Gardens" as a public park. Soon after, the Civilian Conservation Corps developed picnic sites and a small wading pond. In 1935, the State created Kershaw-Ryan State Park. A campground, group use ramada, water system, restrooms and trails were subsequently constructed to improve visitor services. Unfortunately, two successive flash floods in 1984 destroyed nearly all of these facilities.

Today only the group use ramada, water system, restrooms and trails are available. CAMPING IS NOT ALLOWED YET.

In 1990, the voters of Nevada passed Question 5 The Parks and Wildlife Bond Issue, which funded new planning and development at the park. In 1997, Kershaw-Ryan State Park re-opened.

More Info

Nevada Division of State Parks plans, develops and maintains a system of parks and recreation areas
Kershaw-Ryan State Park HC 64 Box 3 Caliente, NV 89008-9701 (775) 726-3564 Kershaw-Ryan

2,966,969 due primarily to poor weather deterring visitors during otherwise high use periods. Kershaw Ryan State Park was reopened after being closed by flash floods since 1984. Key Objectives To
...s of links to Nevadass Desert National Parks, State Parks, Recreation & Wilderness Areas
Fort Churchill State Historic Park Kershaw-Ryan State Park Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Valley

J Fort Churchill State Historic Park V Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park K Kershaw-Ryan State Park W Washoe Lake State Park L Lahontan State Recreation Area X Wild Horse State Recreation
...coln County, Nevada campgrounds descriptions.
Kershaw-Ryan Picnic Area Nevada State ParksKershaw-Ryan State Park There is no longer a campground at Kershaw-Ryan State Park. It was wiped out

Park, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Elko Canyon and Kershaw-Ryan State Park. Caliente, named for the hot springs originally found
Elko Canyon and Kershaw-Ryan State Park. State Route 93 runs

accessible during winter months.Go to Top KERSHAW RYAN Kershaw-Ryan State Park is situated in a colorful narrow canyon at the
a restroom and trails.Kershaw-Ryan State Park is located three

Boating/Launch Fishing Campground Location Lincoln County NV State Park Link Kershaw-Ryan State Park (Eastern NevadaPanaca Area) ( Caliente NVSoutheast NV ) Rainbow Canyon Hiking Trails

Nature Programs
The deep canyons of Rainbow Canyon and Kershaw Canyon were created by water eroding across the terrain, carving deep channels into the bedrock. As recently as 10,000 years ago, vast lakes engulfed the Meadow Valley Wash south of Rainbow Canyon. As the lakes drained and the land uplifted, the flowing water created deep canyons. In the Caliente area, this erosion removed more than 1,000 feet of older sediments and gravels from the plateau that once existed.

Flash floods are common in Kershaw Canyon. In August of 1984 - thunderstorm produced a flash flood in the canyon which caused extensive damage to the park. Only one month later - second flood of similar magnitude inflicted further damage. These floods washed away nearly all of the parks facilities, forcing the park to close.

The park itself hosts four distinct plant communities. Riparian species like cottonwood, dogwood, willow, wild grape and reeds are found along the cool, canyon floor. The mountain brush community is found in isolated pockets on the escarpment and canyon floor. Serviceberry, snowberry and current are found here.

Sagebrush, rabbitbrush and Indian ricegrass make up the cool desert shrub community outside the canyon. In even higher elevations of the upland or mesa areas is the pinyon-juniper community.

A few trees, like the common apple, were originally planted by Mr. Kershaw in the late 1800s. The canyon floor provides shelter and a supply of water to seasonal and resident wildlife, including mammals, birds -mphibians and reptiles. The area also serves as a part-time habitat for migrating birds who find relief and protective shelter within the park.

Surrounding areas and higher elevations are inhabited by larger mammals such as deer, coyote and even mountain lion.